ON AIR NOW:

Council leader meets regional political leaders in China in bid to ‘bring greater economic benefits to North Lincolnshire’

North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham spearheaded a delegation to Shijiazhuang, the capital of China’s Hebei Province, as the future of British Steel’s Scunthorpe operation under its Chinese owners comes under the spotlight.

The authority says the visit, which was funded by a grant, aimed to foster stronger international ties and unlock new economic opportunities for local residents.

As the home of Jingye Group, the parent company of British Steel, the largest industrial employer in North Lincolnshire, Shijiazhuang is a key partner for the region. The visit aimed to strengthen links between the two areas, focusing on collaborative initiatives that can drive job creation, attract new investment, and boost local prosperity.

As reported in August, British Steel has not ruled out moving forward its coke blast furnaces closure plans to this year but said “no final decision has been made”. The firm’s owners, Jingye, have previously announced a £1.25bn development plan, including to create an electric arc furnace (EAF) in Scunthorpe.

Unions have estimated that around 2,500 jobs could be lost when the coke blast facilities close. When British Steel got planning permission for the EAF, it said the existing furnaces would continue until the new one was running, expected from late 2025 onwards.

Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from Scunthorpe with our free newsletter

Following the trip to China, Cllr Waltham said: “It has been a privilege to meet with the people we have the discussions have been rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a desire to build a more prosperous future for residents.

“By working together, we can bring greater economic benefits to North Lincolnshire, which will directly support local businesses and create more, well-paid, sustainable jobs strengthening these relationships is key to ensuring long-term success for both regions.”

The authority said the trip was a “critical step in the council’s ongoing efforts to secure partnerships to drive investment and growth in North Lincolnshire, benefiting both the local economy and communities”.

North Lincolnshire Council has pledged before to develop 300 acres at the Scunthorpe steel works site to create new, green engineering and energy jobs, with the creation of an advanced manufacturing park. A council document published in the summer confirmed an April 2026 target date to establish such a park on unused British Steel land.

Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

Scroll to Top